ADA COUNTY-- The head of the Ada County Highway District is being honored as an innovative leader by the Idaho Business Review.
ACHD Executive Director Bruce Wong was presented with the Idaho Business Review's Icon Award. Director Wong is one of ten recipients of the award for 2023.
The award recognizes influential Idahoans over the age of 50, "who have helped Idaho's business community grow and left a legacy worthy of a lifetime achievement award," according to the Idaho Business Review.
IBR's Icon honorees are nominated each year from colleagues, mentees, peers and community members. The list of candidates is then narrowed down by an internal IBR committee.
"I am honored and humbled to accept this award, not for me, but for the tremendous professionals of the Ada County Highway District," said Director Wong. "I feel privileged to be recognized among so many talented individuals."
Director Wong has a vast career spanning several decades and a variety of impactful leadership roles, most recently as the Executive Director of the Ada County Highway District. He took the role in 2011 and currently oversees ACHD's five divisions and 440 employees.
Wong began his professional career in the United States Air Force. During his 29 years of service, he earned the titles of Commander for the 410 Operations Squadron and the 644th Bomb Squadron (B-52s) as well as Deputy Operations Group Commander.
In 1984, Wong took on his first role as a director, overseeing the Strategic Air Command's Human Resources for aircrew members. From there, he served as the director of Strategic Command's Current Operations Division, the President's Nuclear Crisis Center, and the Strategic Plans and Analysis and FY 2000 Air Force Quadrennial Defense Review at the Air Force Headquarters located in the Pentagon.
In 2001, he made his way across the country to Idaho, where he joined Mountain Home Air Force Base's 366th Fighter Wing as the Chief of Staff, serving for three years before retiring at the rank of Colonel in 2004.
During his military career, he gained more than 4,000 hours of experience in a number of aircrafts and leading a variety of teams and missions in multiple countries throughout the world. He has been honored with the Defense Superior Service Medal, The Legion of Merit, the Defense and Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, and numerous campaign and Presidential Unit honors.
After retiring from the Air Force, Wong joined the civilian world where he embarked on a new endeavor with Albertsons/Supervalu's corporate team. Following that, he successfully led merchandising and marketing operations for Driveline Retail Merchandising as their Senior Vice President of Operations up until 2011.
Aside from the outstanding impacts throughout his career, Director Wong's philanthropic work has had a great effect on the community. He was a founding member of Idaho's Patriot Thunder in 2010. The annual motorcycle ride supports military families through The Wounded Warrior Project, Idaho's Guard and Reserve Family Support Fund, and the 366th Fighter Wing's Operation Warmheart. In addition to shining a bright light on our military heroes and their unique needs, the annual charity ride has raised more than $150,000 for military families.
Through his leadership at ACHD, Director Wong has led District volunteers in the annual ACHD Golf Tournament, which raises money for local organizations that serve women, children, and our military. Since taking on his role at ACHD, the organization has donated approximately $1,660,000 to local charities.
"I am proud to see Director Wong recognized for several decades of leadership and innovation," said Shandy Lam, Deputy Director of Communications at ACHD. Lam joined colleagues in nominating Director Wong for the award. "His impact on the District, the United States Air Force, and the state of Idaho is truly immeasurable. It's an honor to work beside him and under his leadership each day."
Honorees were recognized during a ceremony last week. They will also be profiled in a printed magazine that will be released to Idaho Business Review subscribers.